Side-wall coring device



March 27, 195l 1 H KlRBY, E 2,546,668

SIDE-WALL CORING DEVICE Original Filed Aug. 8, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 4?" `2 49 A8", 50 5&1/ 55 54%:111111 umlmluu 75 87 57 65 if l gg ml Hummm "4 l5 'I6 a; 77 l Y 91 I 89 g 83 ,'22

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SIDE-WALL CORINC- DEVICE Original Filed Aug. 8, 1941 3 Sheet's-Sheet 2 March 27, 1951 J. H. KIRBY, JI

SIDE-WALL coRING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Aug. 8, 1941 Patented Mar. 27, 1951 .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,546,668 SIDE-WALL coaiNG DEVICE John H. Kirby, II, Houston, Tex.`

Substituted for application Serial No. 405,915, August 8, 1941. This application .November 23, 1945, Serial No. 630,1991/2 .2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful provements in side wall sampling devices. This application constitutes a substitution or refile of my prior abandoned application, Serial No. 405,915, iiled August 8, 1941. This applica-V tion is also a companionapplication to my applications, Serial No. 667,798, and Serial No. 714,- 324.

An important object ofthe invention is to provide a new and improved sampling device wherein samples of the formation are taken.

Another object of the invention is `to provide an improved sampling device wherein a full length and intact sample may be obtained.

A still further object of the invention is to (Cl. Z55- 1.4)

provide 'an improved :sidewall sampling device which is moved towards the formation .that is de.- sired to be tested so .that a `core the length of the sample tube may be obtained.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved sampling device wherein the outward progress of the sampling tube is greatly retarded so as to produce a better sample.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved sampling device wherein the device runs in a bath of lubricant and the pressure surrounding ysaid device acts upon said lu bricant so that the pressure Within and Without the device is equalized.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved sampling device wherein the sampling-receiving tube is rotated when it is .being forced out through the substance of which a sample is desired, but is not rotated when it is withdrawn therefrom, thereby reducing the possibility oi breaking the .sampling tube or damaging it in some manner." A construction .designed .to carry out the in- .venti n will be hereinafter described, together with .other .features of the invention. j Y The invention .will be more `readily understood vfrorn'a. reading .of the following specification and by rference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the .upper portion of a device constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. .2 is a similar view oi the .lower portion of the device vand constitutes a spaced continuation fof the. portion shown in Fig. i1;

Fig. 3 vis a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Fig. 4 is .ahorizontal cross-sectional view taken on' the line 4 4 of Fig. v1,;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view "take-n on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2; s

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation of the hydraulic pump used in the device shown in Figs. l and 2 Fig. 8 is an enlarged isometric View of one of the abutting plates used in the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view, partly in section, showing the samplet-ube used in the .device shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 10 is a vertical .cross-sectional view taken on the line `I El-ZI 0 in Fig. 9; 5.,

Fig. l1-is. a .vertical cross-sectional view taken onthe line II-II of.Fig..9; 5. I Fig. l12 is an 'enlarged :sideelevational `View of the sampling tool; I

Fig. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional viewftaken on the line I 3-I 3 of Fig. 12"; and

Fig. 14 is .an enlarged isometrical view of .the driving gear for the sampling tube.

In the drawings, the :numeral I0 designates e. side wall sampling device which includes the hollow cylindrical housing .I I which carries the sampling assembly. The upper and lower ends of the housing I I are internally :screw-threaded at I2 and externally threaded at I3 to. engage complementary threads von the head 83 and the shoe or plug 19 respectively to form an enclosure for the sampling assembly vIAI which lits therein and .to which further detailed reference will be made. `1

A pair of tubular upright supporting members I5 in end to end relation snugly engage the inner surface .of .the housing .Il .and support the lower assembly. A hanger bar I6 is connected to `the upper endA of the lower-most support, and is used for the .purpose of pulling the supports -out of the housing II. The support below the hanger 'I6 :is provided proximate its upper and lower ends with openings Il' in alignment `With the open;

ings I8 inthe side wall of the housing II.` f

The housing II about the openings i8 is taperied outwardly at I9. Ram heads 2Q t within recesses `formed inthe thickened portions and thereby form lcontinuous surfaces when said heads are lying against .the 'housing II.v v`Con= nected to the underside ofthe heads 20 are rod-'s 2| which pass through thev respective openings' 'il and I8 to the interior of saidhous'ing. ConJ-f nected to the innermost end of said rods are pistons 22 (see Fig. 2) which work within cylinders 23. Packing glands -24 lie within the. -`openings |1 and |8, and packoff around the rods 2| so as to prevent leakage of fluid along the surface of the rods.

Each of the cylinders 23 is provided with a pair of openings (not shown) which establish communication between the interior of said cylinder to pipes 25 and 25. As may be seen in Figure 2, the pistons 22 at all times lie between said openings so that fluid lowing from the pipe 25 into the cylinders will force the pistons towards the other opening, thereby moving the rams 25A outwardly; and fluid within the cylinder, in front of the pistons, will flow out through the pipe 26 as will be hereinafter further discussed. Obviously, as the process is reversed and fluid ows from the pipe 26 into the cylinders 23, it will move the pistons towards the other o-pening and force the uid that has entered said cylinder back out through the pipe 25. The cylinders 23 are vsui-tabl-ysupported on the lower support I5.

In order to force the fluid through the pipes 25 and 25, there is provided a pump 30 that is clearly shown in Fig. '1. This pump has a driving shaft 21 upon which is mounted a sprocket wheel 28, and said sprocket wheel is placed offcenter within the housing 29 of said pump so that it engages only a portion of the annular gear element 33. As the sprocket 28 is rotated, say in a clockwise direction, it will pick up uid from the port 32 and discharge it through the port 3 2 and when the sprocket is reversed and rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, it will pick up fluid from the port 3| and force it out through the port 32. The pump 39' is likewise suitably supported on the lower support l5 and hence forms an integral part of the assembly I4.

' The ports 3| and 32 of the pump 30 are connected to identical inlet and outlet check valves, of which the identical description of one is deemed sufcient. The port 32 of the pump is J connected by means of a pipe (not shown) to the valve 33, which will allow fluid to enter said valve from within the housing Il, it being understood that the housing is maintained full, or substantially full, of a suitable fluid and means is provided to maintain equalized pressure between the interior and the exterior of the housing as will more fully appear.

Mounted above the inlet valve 33 is an outlet valve 34, which has been shown in cross-section. Fluid from the valve 33 may flow up and strike the ball 35, compressing the spring 36, and flow out through the port 31. However, when huid attempts to flow through the port 31 to the interior of said valve, the ball valve 35 will seat, as shown in the drawings, and thereby check the iiuid from owing therethrough. The port 3| has an inlet valve 38, identical to the inlet valve 33, and an outlet valve 39, identical to the outlet valve 34.

The` Valves 38 and 39 are connected into the pipe26 by a pipe 4G, while the valves 33 and 34 are connected into the pipe 25 by means of a pipe 4|. Thus, as may be seen, by rotating the pump 3B' so that fluid will flow through the pipe '4| into the pipe 25, it will force the rams 25 outwardly while the huid from in front of the piston will now through the pipe 25, up through the pipe 4U, and out through the valve 39. Also, when the pump is reversed and fluid is forced out through the port 3|, and thence through the pipes 40 and 26, it will enter in front of the pistons and move said pistons back towards the pipe 25, thereby moving the rams inwardly. Fluid from this portion of the cylinder will OW out through the pipe 25, up through the pipe 4|, and out through the outlet Valve 34. It is pointed out that the pistons 22 are surrounded by suitable piston rings 22.

A prime mover shown as an electric motor 43 is suitably mounted within the housing intermediate the pump 35 and the lower cylinder 23 and has an upwardly directed drive shaft 44 which is connected to the shaft 21 of the pump Iby means of a universal joint 45. Obviously, this motor will actuate said pump. Extending from the lower portion of the motor 43 is a drive shaft 45 which has a gear (not shown) mounted thereon, and said gear engages a pinion 41 Xed upon the shaft 48. Adjacent the pinion 51 and fixed upon the shaft 48 is a driving gear 49.

The driving gear' 49 engages a driven gear l50 which in turn engages an elongated pinion 5| so that all are rotated together. A gear 52 is mounted on one end of the pinion 5|, and is locked thereon so as to be rotated with said pinion. The outermost ends of the pinion 5| are suitably mounted in the support I5 by bearings 53. Meshing with the gear 52 is an enlarged gear head 54 of a threaded-guide 55, and the outermost ends of said guide are suitably mounted in the support l5 on bearings 56. `3

An idler gear 51 engages the gear head 54, and meshing with the idler 51 is a enlarged gear head 58 of a second threaded guide 59. The outermost ends of said guide are suitably mounted within the support |5 by means of bearings 60. Thus, as the pinion 5| is rotated, it will rotate the gear train 54, 51 and 58.

A driving gear 6| is confined on the guide 55, and the inner surface of said gear is screwf threaded so as to engage with the screw-threaded surface of said guide, and as the same is rotated it will be moved along said guide due to the screwthreaded engagement. The teeth of said gear engage the pinion 5| so that as the pinion is ro-r tated, it will rotate the gear -Bi and move it along the guide 55. A similar gear 62 is mounted on the guide 59.

An intermediate gear 63 meshes with the gears 6| and 52, whereby the pinion 5| rotates both the gears 6| and 52. A housing liencloses said gears and carries the innermost end of a sampling tube 65. A ll of these gears are suitably mounted on ball bearings 65, and the intermediate gear 63 has an axial opening therethrough. A pin 61 connects the innermost end of the sampler vE55 to the gear 63. The outer circumference of the inner# most end of said tube is provided with a plurality of iiared openings 68, as may best be seen in Figures 11-13.

A flange 59 is securely mounted on the shank of the gear S3. This flange overlies the innerjmost end of said sampler 65 and is provided with a plurality of angular openings 10 (Figure -11) the outermost end of which is internally screwthreaded. Balls 1| lie within said openings and engage within the flared opening 63 of `the sam-Y pler 55. Springs 12 act to urge said balls towards said sampler at all times and are retained in said openings by retainer caps 13. Thus, as the iiange 59 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed fromits outer end, the balls 1| lock the sampler in relation to said flange, but when said ange is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, said balls will snap up against the tension of the spring, allowing the sampler toV remain still. Hence, while the sampler is moving outwardly, it will rotate, but when it is being retrieved, byre verse rotation of the guides-55 and-59,- it-,will not berotated.A g The housing is vprovided with an enlarged opening 14 through' which the sampler 65 passes.- A packing gland l engages within said opening and surrounds said Asampler so as to prevent leakage of fluid axially thereof. On the lowermost end of the housing 64, there is a depending triggerv 16; vMounted below the lowermost guide 59 on the support |5 are a pair of switches 'Il and 1,8. The switch ll is the initial starting switch which starts the sampler in its outward travel. When the trigger i6 flips the switch FS, it will reverse the motor 43, nthereby reversing all of the gears so as to retract said sampler, as will hereinafter further be discussed. 'jV The shoe 753. ismollntedon Vthe'lowermost end of the housing ||and,is provided in its lower `end with ai plurality of.weuussi-v The shoe has an elongatedrecess :8| vin its centralvportion which communicates,w iththe openings 80. A flexible diaphragm 82 lies within the recess 3| and is securely attached to the upper portion of said shoe so that fluid acting on the outer surface of the shoe may enter the ports `Sil and depress the diaphragm 82 so as to equalize the pressure on the interior and exterior of the device.

'I'he head 83 mounted on the uppermost end of the housing I I has a depending flange B4 which carries the electrical contacts 85 from which wires extend by way of the conduit 92 to the motor 43 and to the switches 'Il and 18.

The head 83 is also provided with an opening 88 Awhich extends therethrough and is closed by a plug 89. A central recess 86 is provided on the top side of said head, and is internally screwthreaded so as to receive a fishing neck 8T which has an axial bore throughout its length. Its uppermost end receives a running cable 9i] which is securely attached thereto in the usual manner. The cable is what is commonly known as an electrical cable; that is, it has supporting qualities and is also capable of conducting electricity. It may have separate electrical conductors woven therein as is shown in the drawings. These conductors are connected to the electrical connections 85 whereby electrical current may flow from the surface of the ground down to the device so as to operate the motor and the switches.

The head 53, around its central opening, receives a packing gland 9|. Thus, as may be seen, the device is iiuid tight.

In actual operation, the cap 89 of the head 83 is removed and, as already indicated, the entire interior of said tool is filled with a suitable lubricant. The cap is then replaced so that the tool works in oil or some other suitable nuid. The device is run into the well bore on the cable 90 in the conventional manner. When the desired location has been reached, the motor 43 is started so as to rotate the shaft 44 and operate the pump 35 so as to force fluid out through the port 32 and the pipe 25. The entire tool being full of oil, the pump will draw the oil in through the inlet valve 33 and force it out into the pipe 25, whence it is forced into the cylinders 23 of the rams 25 and 42 and so that they will move outwardly and engage the surface of the bore.

It is pointed out that this device could be run down through the casing and the rams would abut the interior of said casing. While this is taking place, the shaft 46 through the medium of the gear (not shown) is rotating the drive gear 41 which, in turn, rotates the gears 49 and 5 0, and. the pinion.5l.. 'l The vpinion 15| .will VA,be rotated'in a clockwise direction, the gear 6I will be rotated in an anti-clockwise direction; while the gear 63 and the sampler b5 will be'rotated `in a clockwise direction, and the gear YE52 will be rotated in an anti-clockwise Adirection the Vvsame as the gear 6|. Thus, as Said gears are rotated, they will feed the sampler outwardly due to the threaded guides 55 and 59. However, the gear 52 of the pinion 5| is attempting to rotate the guide member r553 in a counter-clockwise direction, but the gear ratio between the pinion 5| and the gear 5| is slightly greater than the gear ratio between the gear 52 and the gear head 54. Thus, the sampler 65 is slowly advanced in a direction along its axis andis, at the same time, rotated about .its axis so .that a sample is out and Venters the sampler. When the sampler carrier 64 has reached its outermost position, the .trigger 16 ips th switch 1 3, thereby. reversing the motor 413, which will reverse the gear pump and begin drawingoil in the intake valve 33 so as to pump the same into the pipe 26 and move the piston`22 back to its original position, thereby bringing in the rams 20 and 42. The pinion 5| will be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction while the gears 5| and 62 will be rotated in a clockwise direction so as to pull the sampler carrier back toits original position. The gear 63 will also be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, the same as the pinion 5|. Therefore, the flange 69, which is attached to the gear 63, will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction which will allow the balls 'Il to snap past the flared opening 68 of the sampler, thereby allowing the sampler to stand still and not rotate, and eliminating any danger `which may be caused by this withdrawal if said sampler were rotated.

When the sampler 55 is completely withdrawn, the device is then ready to be Withdraw from the well, the trigger 'l5 having engaged the switch TI so as to turn the motor 43 off. It is pointed out that, when the tool is placed in the well, there is a certain amount of fluid pressure within said well. It may be hydrostatic pressure or it may be gas or other fluid pressure from penetrated formations. Such pressure acts upon the diaphragm 82 located in the shoe 19, putting a pressure on the fluid within the device and thereby equalizing the pressure within said device with that on the outside thereof which, obviously, re-

duces the possibility of fluid leaking into or from the device.

What is claimed is:

l. A side wall sampling device including, an elongated housing adapted to be lowered in a well bore, an elongated support slidably tting within the housing, threaded guide means mounted transversely of said support, gear means mounted on said guide means, a cutting tool adapted to be driven by said gear means and extensible sidewardly through an opening in the sidewall of the housing, a pump carried by said support, a pair of ram heads on the exterior of the housing opposite said cutting tool and adapted to be projected outwardly by said pump, driving means carried by said support and connected to drive said gear means and said pump, and power means supplied to said driving means to project said ram heads sidewardly to engage the side wall of the well bore to move the housing into engagement with the well bore wall at the opening for the cutting tool, and to rotate, advance, and retract said tool.

2. A side wall sampling device comprising, an elongated housing adapted to be lowered in a well bore, a pair of ram heads on the exterior of the housing in axially spaced relation, piston rods attached to said ram heads and sealably passing through the wall of the housing, a piston and cylinder assembly operatively connected to each of said rods, a hydraulic pump within the housing, a body of liquid within the housing adapted to be pumped by said pump to said cylinders to advance and retract the pistons and ram heads, closures at opposite ends of the housing to retain the liquid within the housing, the lowermost of said closures having an elongated recess therein and openings therethrough, a exible diaphragm tting within said recess and sealably secured to the closure at its inner end, whereby pressures interiorly Aand exteriorly of the housing are equalized and volumetric changes are compensated, threaded guide means mounted transversely of said housing, gear means mounted on said guide means, a cutting tool adapted to be driven by said gear means and extensible side- 8 Wardly of said housing opposite Ysaid rams', driv'f ing means within said housing and connected lto drive said gear means and said pump, and power means supplied to said driving` means to drive said pump and cutting tool respectively to advance and retract the ram heads and to rotate, advance, and retract said cutting tool While the rams are in advanced position.'

JOHN H. KIRBY, II.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UN-ITED STATES PATENTS Benke Apr. 3, 1945 

